He Never Left: A sharp and entertaining slasher (spoiler-free review)

With the massive success of the Terrifier movies, it's a great time to pay attention to indie slashers. He Never Left, directed by James Morris, makes great use of its location and establishes the lore of the Pale Face Killer, who terrorizes a small town. Morris and company crafted a lean and entertaining 90 minutes that slasher fans should enjoy.

The opening sequence shows the Pale Face Killer (William McAllister) brutally killing a female victim in the late 90s. Years later, people go missing again. So spooked by the thought of the serial killer's return, the townspeople refuse to talk about him, even as one missing person poster after another pops up around town.

This opening is effective in that it establishes the antagonist's mythos and cold-hearted brutality. The town's fear is palpable. Additionally, the film is set during Halloween, and nearly every interior set is sprinkled with vintage Halloween decorations. The exterior shots show gorgeous autumn foliage, making this a solid spooky season watch.

The rest of the film, which occurs in the present, focuses on Gabriel (Colin Cunningham) and Carly (Jessica Staples). After accidentally murdering a teenager at his former job, Gabriel is on the run from the law. Carly helps him hide in a cheap motel. Suddenly, Gabriel hears screams and other strange noises echoing from the room next door.

The cramped and isolated motel setting are incredibly effective. Since Gabriel's face is all over the news, he can't leave the room. He nearly snaps, and Carly isn't so sure the Pale Face Killer is murdering anyone in the room next door. Is it all in Gabriel's head, or is the Pale Face Killer indeed back?

Both Cunningham and Staples do quite a good job in their lead roles, especially Cunningham. He really conveys Gabriel's fragile and increasingly isolated state. Meanwhile, guilt plagues Gabriel. He frequently sees glimpses of his victim. He can't shake the ghosts of his past.

Additionally, the film excels at showing just how hard life is for a convict. Upon his initial release from jail, Gabriel struggles to find a job, denied at every turn. The writers give Cunningham a lot to work with, and I wish that Staples' character was served just as well. It's unclear why Carly even remains with Gabriel since he's often a jerk to her, ready to snap at any moment. Staples plays the character well, but she's simply not given enough depth.

Morris also stars in the film as Tim, a cop determined to solve the strange occurrences and see justice prevail. It's evident how much the disappearances affect Tim. The police narrative adds another layer and additional characters that Gabriel needs to evade. As for the killer's look, it's kept simple with a white mask and dark clothing. There's something chilling about the look, and sometimes, simple works best. Just think of Michael Myers in the original Halloween.

If you're looking for another indie slasher movie, I highly recommend He Never Left. This is a well-scripted, well-executed, and creative film containing deadly pressure-cooker situations for its characters. I'd love to see a sequel to this one.

He Never Left will have a limited theatrical run starting November 1, before it arrives on VOD on November 5.